PCs from Google?

[Steve]

Google's co-founder and president of products will be giving a keynote speech at CES this year. While we wait to find out exactly what he'll be talking about, there are rumours of a Google PC.

Sources say Google has been in negotiations with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., among other retailers, to sell a Google PC. The machine would run an operating system created by Google, not Microsoft's Windows, which is one reason it would be so cheap — perhaps as little as a couple of hundred dollars.

Bear Stearns analysts speculated in a research report last month that consumers would soon see something called "Google Cubes" — a small hardware box that could allow users to move songs, videos and other digital files between their computers and TV sets.

[Los Angeles Times]

I think we can presume that "an operating system created by Google" is going to be based around a distribution of Linux, yes?

[kasavien]

when are google planning to take over the world then

[Hans Voralberg]

I think the conquer has started already. no?

[Tomahawk]

Blimey!.. Google really are trying to get a stake in EVERY market possible!.. It leads to the Question of Whatever next?!..

[Steve]

Blimey!.. Google really are trying to get a stake in EVERY market possible!.. It leads to the Question of Whatever next?!..

Well if the Google PC turns out to be true and there's a Google OS for it, then we can expect the Google OS to be made available independently of the PC.

[fredered]

seeems strange to me as the margins in making pcs are being squeezed all the time

[hitman67]

Hey if it came over here, at $200 I'd buy one.

[Flibb]

wonder if part of the cost is offset by built in advertising, some copanys tried that before

[Tomahawk]

wonder if part of the cost is offset by built in advertising, some copanys tried that before

What so an out-of-the-box spyware infested machine?!...

[nvening]

I think we can presume that "an operating system created by Google" is going to be based around a distribution of Linux, yes?

RedHat IIRC, they were talking about a google OS ages ago.

[TheAnimus]

What so an out-of-the-box spyware infested machine?!...

thats imediatly what i thought!

What would they do if you bought it, then put a good OS on it, without any of their "focused marketing" crap their sure to stick on their?

I like google as a search engine, but certain things do scare me about the way their moving. I don't like them as a news porthole either.

[Steve]

I don't like them as a news porthole either.

Ooo arrr, cap'n

I use Google News now and then, and HEXUS is listed on it, but it's certainly not the first place I go for news.

[Tobeman]

Does this mean any file we keep on our Google PC for more than 30 days will be viewable by Google? And will they display text-based adverts related to the shortcut names on our desktop?

[MAdMaN]

I wonder how many calls they'll get from people unable to run Google Earth on the machines.

[Funkstar]

seeems strange to me as the margins in making pcs are being squeezed all the time

That is exactly what i was thinking. To me it doesnæt make sense. They are a services company and now they want to get into hardware (perhaps not in the way Dell are, granted) just doesn't sit well with me.

Google as some sort of ISP or wireless provider was for more plausible IMHO

[TheAnimus]

That is exactly what i was thinking. To me it doesnæt make sense. They are a services company and now they want to get into hardware (perhaps not in the way Dell are, granted) just doesn't sit well with me.

Google as some sort of ISP or wireless provider was for more plausible IMHO

Google always talk about how they use standard PC components to create clusters. They also have market placement, people will look for their logo. Not quite so stupid if they sell them only just breaking even, there is soo much money to be made in spyware style technology (customer profiling).